author
John Robinson
1846–1925
A Salem botanist with a gift for making natural history approachable, he wrote practical books on gardens, ferns, seaweeds, and local history. His work grew out of decades spent studying New England plants and caring for museum collections.
1 Audiobook
Old-Time Nautical Instruments
by John Robinson
About the author
Born on July 13, 1846, John Robinson was an American botanist based in Salem, Massachusetts. He is especially remembered for his long association with the Peabody Academy of Science, where he served as treasurer from 1875 until his death in 1925 and also looked after the Marine Room.
Robinson focused on botany, especially ferns and algae, and wrote a number of books that blended careful observation with an inviting, practical style. His publications included works on gardens and flowers, as well as guides connected to Salem and the natural world of coastal New England.
He died on April 9, 1925. Today, he stands out as one of those writer-naturalists whose books helped everyday readers notice the plants, shores, and landscapes around them more closely.